Fantasia 2000 – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Fantasia 2000

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

movie2000

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Classical music meets stunning animation in Disney's ambitious sequel—beautiful but honestly a tough sell for the iPad generation.

80%

7.0

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Fantasia 2000

movie

2000

72%

WISE Score

Avg. Tomatometer

Classical music meets stunning animation in Disney's ambitious sequel—beautiful but honestly a tough sell for the iPad generation.

80%

7.0

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80%

7.0

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Screenwise Verdict

Fantasia 2000 is objectively gorgeous, culturally significant, and completely wholesome. It's also—let's not sugarcoat this—kind of a slog for most 21st-century kids. Seventy-four minutes of classical music with no talking is a big ask when they're used to Bluey's seven-minute dopamine hits.

That said, if you have a kid who's into music, dance, or art, this could be genuinely special. The flying whales are stunning, 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' still holds up, and the Gershwin 'Rhapsody in Blue' segment set in 1930s New York is legitimately cool. It's also a great 'put on one segment while dinner cooks' option rather than a full movie commitment.

The scores are high because the content itself is excellent—but the WISE score reflects reality: this is more likely to end up as background ambiance at a dinner party than appointment viewing for your 7-year-old. Unless your kid is the rare unicorn who asks for Beethoven, manage expectations accordingly.

Age Fit

Common Sense says 6+, which tracks for content safety, but realistically this plays best for 8-12 year olds who have the patience and cultural context to appreciate it—or for younger kids with genuine interest in music. Teens might enjoy it ironically or if they're artsy.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

Classical music paired with beautiful animation creates a calm, emotionally healthy viewing experience. The segments model wonder and beauty without cynicism or meanness. Pacing is contemplative rather than frenetic, which is refreshing but may feel slow to modern kids used to rapid-fire content.

Imaginative

This is pure visual storytelling set to orchestral music—each segment invites interpretation and wonder. From abstract shapes dancing to Beethoven to whales flying through the sky, it's designed to spark creativity and show kids that animation can be art, not just plot delivery. The 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' segment remains iconic for good reason.

Safe

Extremely safe content with Common Sense Media rating it for age 6+. No violence, no scary content beyond mild tension in 'Sorcerer's Apprentice' (brooms flooding a castle), no inappropriate material. The 'Firebird Suite' segment has some destruction imagery but it's clearly metaphorical and ends with renewal. No surprises that would shock a young viewer.

Enriching

Introduces kids to classical music from Beethoven, Stravinsky, Gershwin, and others in an accessible format. Builds appreciation for orchestral music and demonstrates how music can tell stories without words. The celebrity host segments (Steve Martin, Bette Midler, etc.) add context. However, it's more about exposure and appreciation than active skill-building or deep themes.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Exposes kids to world-class orchestral music (Chicago Symphony Orchestra!) in a format that's more engaging than just audio
Each animated segment is visually stunning and shows that animation can be high art, not just entertainment
Zero dialogue means it works for any language and any attention span—you can watch one 10-minute segment and call it done
The flying whales segment set to 'Pines of Rome' is genuinely magical and might inspire budding artists or musicians
Safe enough to put on for a wide age range without worry

⚠

What to Watch For

Let's be real: most modern kids will find this boring unless they're already into music or art—the slow pacing and lack of story/dialogue is a big departure from typical kids' content
The 'Firebird Suite' finale has some intense destruction imagery (volcano, forest burning) that might startle sensitive younger viewers, though it ends with hopeful rebirth
You might need to watch in chunks rather than all at once—treating it like a museum visit rather than a movie night
Some segments are abstract and won't make literal sense, which can frustrate kids who want clear narratives

Conversation Starters

"Which segment was your favorite? What did you think the story was trying to tell?"
"How did the music make you feel during different parts? Did fast music make you feel different than slow music?"
"If you could create your own animated segment to go with a song you love, what would it look like?"
"Did you notice how the animation matched the music? When the music got louder, what happened on screen?"

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